The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent this offseason reminding everyone just how wide the payroll gap in Major League Baseball has become. They’re operating in a different financial galaxy, and while most teams can’t match their spending, that doesn’t mean small-market clubs get a pass.
There’s still a responsibility to build a competitive roster - especially when the pieces are already in place to contend. That’s where the Cincinnati Reds find themselves right now, and so far, they’ve left their fans wanting more.
Yes, the Reds made a legitimate push for Ohio native Kyle Schwarber earlier in the offseason - a move that would’ve sent a strong message about their intentions. But since then?
Crickets. Aside from the under-the-radar addition of lefty reliever Brock Burke, Cincinnati’s been quiet, especially when it comes to bolstering the lineup.
And when the Dodgers are out here throwing bags of cash at Kyle Tucker, it’s easy to see why Reds fans are feeling restless.
Let’s be clear: one playoff appearance - one that required a historic collapse by the Mets - doesn’t erase years of frustration. The Reds have a legitimate strength in their starting rotation, and with Terry Francona now at the helm, the time to act is now.
This team doesn’t need to land a superstar to get better. But it does need to add at least one more reliable bat.
Enter Mickey Moniak.
The Rockies are coming off the worst season in franchise history and are clearly open for business. While young, controllable players like Jordan Beck or Brenton Doyle probably aren’t going anywhere, Moniak presents a different kind of opportunity.
He’s got two years of arbitration left, he’s coming off a breakout season, and he’s no stranger to being on the trade block. For a Reds team looking to make a smart, impactful move without breaking the bank or gutting the farm system, this could be the guy.
Moniak, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, finally found his footing in 2025. After bouncing between the Phillies and Angels for the better part of four seasons, he landed in Colorado and produced the best campaign of his career.
In 135 games, he hit .270 with 24 home runs, 68 RBIs, a .518 slugging percentage and an .824 OPS. Sure, the walk rate (4.8%) leaves something to be desired, and his splits away from Coors Field (.230 batting average) raise some flags.
But the upside is real, and the Reds are in no position to be overly picky.
Cincinnati already brought in JJ Bleday this offseason - another former top-five pick, left-handed hitter, and outfielder. But Moniak, as of now, is simply a better player.
He’d cost more in salary and likely require a prospect or two in return, but that’s the price of meaningful production. And let’s not forget: this is a team that scored just nine runs in three playoff games against the Dodgers.
They need offense.
The Reds have leaned hard on the hope that their young hitters - Spencer Steer, Matt McLain, Will Benson, Christian Encarnacion-Strand - would continue to develop and carry the offense. That faith has paid off on the mound, where the homegrown arms have been a revelation.
But at the plate, it’s been inconsistent. And while it’s easy to point out the irony in chasing Moniak - a player who also struggled to live up to the hype early on - that shared experience might be part of the appeal.
Moniak’s journey hasn’t been smooth. He’s battled injuries, struggled with performance, and faced the pressure that comes with being a former No. 1 pick.
But last year, he finally put it all together. Yes, the Coors Field effect is real - and his defensive metrics were rough, with -23 defensive runs saved and -8 outs above average, per FanGraphs.
But the raw talent has always been there. Maybe Colorado just helped him find his confidence again.
That kind of resilience matters. And on a Reds team that’s trying to take the next step, Moniak could be the kind of player who helps bridge the gap between potential and production. He wouldn’t be asked to carry the offense - just to contribute, lengthen the lineup, and take some of the pressure off guys like Elly De La Cruz.
The Reds squeaked into the postseason with 83 wins and got bounced quickly. That can’t be the ceiling.
Not with this rotation. Not with Francona in the dugout.
Not with a fanbase that’s stuck with the team through years of rebuilds and false starts. Cincinnati needs to show it’s serious about competing in 2026 and beyond.
A trade for Mickey Moniak won’t dominate headlines. But it could be the kind of move that makes a real difference - both now and in the future.
Nick Krall doesn’t need to empty the farm to get it done. He just needs to pick up the phone, call Colorado, and get creative.
With spring training around the corner, time is running out.
The Reds can’t afford to let another offseason slip by. Not this one.